The Mice in Council

Squeak squeak! Squeak squeak! The mice all gathered for the week. "The cat is coming! What to do?" They scurried in a worried queue.

Paws so soft, Claws so mean, The sneakiest cat You've ever seen! He creeps, He crawls, Down the halls-- And nobody hears him When he calls.

"Order! Order!" said the chief, "We must find some relief! Every day we lose a friend, This terror has to end!"

Squeak squeak! Squeak squeak! Who's got the answer that we seek?

"Build a wall!" said one. "Dig a moat!" said two. "Set a trap!" said three. But none of those would do.

Then up jumped the cleverest mouse in the house, With whiskers curled and eyes so bright. "I have a plan that cannot fail-- We'll know the cat's coming day or night!"

"We'll tie a bell Around his neck! A jingle bell, A silver speck! We'll hear him coming Down the hall-- Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling! We'll hear it all!"

The mice jumped up! The mice all cheered! "The greatest plan That's ever appeared!" They danced around, They squeaked with glee, "At last, at last, We shall be free!"

Then an old mouse rose, Quiet and gray, And the room fell still At what she'd say.

"The plan is fine, The plan is grand. But tell me, friends-- I must understand...

Who will bell the cat?"

Silence. Silence. Not a squeak. Not a sound For a whole long week.

Plans are easy, Talk is cheap. Promises are Simple to keep-- Until it's time To take the leap.

So when you have A big idea, Ask yourself Without any fear: "Who will do it? How? And when?" Then you'll have A real plan, my friend.